Sunday, June 23, 2024
HOOKED
Landon Brown, rising seventh grade student at Shelbyville Middle School, fishes in a pond on the south side of Shelbyville earlier this year. His bicycle, on its side in the dew-covered grass, and tackle box were nearby. Brown said his grandfather taught him to fish, and added he is a “catch-and-release” kind of guy. | photo by JACK BOYCE
Cloud Rainbow
Cloud iridescence was visible in Shelby County yesterday, a phenomenon that occurs when small water droplets scatter the sun’s light. Coincidentally, this same occurrence was reported in The Shelbyville Republican 110 years ago in June, except “cloud iridescence” was apparently in their vocabulary. The paper said locals wondered all afternoon if there was some significance to the event. The Republican surmised it merely meant “a change in the weather” would happen within three days. “Wait and see,” it promised.
NOTEBOOK:
The Shelbyville Plan Commission will consider several items at tomorrow’s meeting, including the following: a petition from GSSR Investment for a new gas station and convenience store at the southwest corner of Progress Parkway and Marketplace Blvd., adjacent to the petitioner’s planned hotel and multi-tenant commercial building; a rezone request for Souls Harbor Church to use the former Family Services and Prevention Program building, 2021 S. Riley Highway, for a church and daycare; and site development plan approval for Crossroads Community Church to build a fellowship hall adjacent to its current church facility, 475 E. Progress Parkway. The Plan Commission meets Monday, 7 p.m., at City Hall with a pre-meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Great Gatsby! A 1920s fashion is set for the Shelby County Public Library’s main branch, Tuesday, June 25, 7 p.m. Women’s and men’s trends will be highlighted while Donna Dennison, head of the Genealogy & History Department, narrates the pageant.
Amanda White, with the Shelby County Public Library, will lead a walk in Meltzer Woods, Tuesday, June 25, 10 a.m. Experience a nature adventure in one of Indiana’s remaining old growth forests. All ages are welcome to join the easy 1.2-mile hike. Hikers should bring their own water and wear appropriate footwear. The woods are at 1544 S. 600 East, Shelbyville. Parking is across the road from the trailhead.
The Morristown library branch is also in on the event action this week. “Upcycle” thrift store paintings with the staff on Thursday, June 27, 6 p.m., at the Velma Wortman Morristown Branch. Dragons are the focus for upcycling, which is taking old paintings found in thrift stores, such as Goodwill, and then adding paint or stickers to make a personal masterpiece. Register with the Morristown Branch so a painting can be provided. Email the branch at morristown@sscpl.lib.in.us or call 765-818-1718.
Editor’s note: The “Spring” quarterly edition for Addison Times supporters began arriving yesterday. If you did not receive one in the mail, presumably it will appear early next week. This edition was intentionally late due to covering school-related items at the end of the academic year. The fall edition will arrive before the start of the actual season! Again, thank you so much for supporting local journalism and me. - Kristiaan Rawlings
HOOSIER NEWS: Europe expects to host a record number of tourists from the US, thanks to a strong dollar. American tourists are targeting southern Europe in particular, putting some countries’ post-lockdown rebound in hyperdrive. Italy, Spain, Greece, and Portugal brought in nearly a third of the EU’s total international tourism dollars last year, which equates to $500-plus billion. Portugal specifically has seen a massive influx of US tourists, driving tax revenue up 20% last year in the capital city of Lisbon. (Morning Brew)
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This Day in Shelby County History
News around Shelbyville and the surrounding area as reported on or about this date in history. Selections are curated from the Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department.
2014: The Morristown Boys and Girls Club moved into Morristown Elementary. The Club had previously used the Morristown Christian Church building. Scott Spahr was the Morristown Boys and Girls Club Director.
2004: Local artist Ginni Tutterow’s wire-art jewelry was on display at the Columbia Club in Indianapolis.
Shelby County Life Long Learning delivered dictionaries to every third-grader in the county. The organization’s executive director, Leroy Whitcher, acquired the 864 dictionaries for $1 each through a non-profit.
1994: The Morristown Town Council purchased two fire hydrants, to be located near the Jackets Hive Restaurant, 207 S. Locust St., and near the Hauk-Spencer Funeral Home on W. Main St. An old hydrant, located behind the American Legion building, had sunk into the ground and was difficult to open.
Fifth-grader Ryan Endris, son of Fred and Mary Endris, won the St. Joseph School Spelling Bee. Sam Giesting, son of Charlie and Mary Giesting, was runner-up.
1984: David Letterman’s late night TV show included a shout-out Shelbyville in its opening moments. When the show started, the announcer said, “From New York, the Shelbyville, Indiana, of the northeast, it’s Late Night with David Letterman.” The Shelbyville News said several locals were surprised by the mention of their home. “In fact, for some it was said to be a downright emotional moment, especially when they realized that they lived in the New York of the Midwest.”
Shannon Rickel, 19, Morristown, and Michele Bush, 18, were two of 40 girls selected as Indianapolis Colts cheerleaders.
1974: Shelbyville police meter maid Mary Jo Phares won a new 10-speed bike for having raised $743 for the Shelby County Heart Association, which hosted a bicycling event to raise awareness. The youngest boy and girl to participate in the fundraiser were Dannette and Brady Ivie. Richard Gehr, 63, of Brent Woods, was the oldest male rider. Thelma Aldridge, 62, was the oldest female rider. A drawing awarded U.S. savings bonds to Judith Bowers, Teresa Smith and Dick Showalter.
Mike McComas, Shelbyville High School baseball catcher, won the Glen K. McNamara Award for being the top player on the team. Brad Jones was named top hitter for the 1974 baseball season. Tom Hession was coach.
Without the help of local law enforcement officers and residents, the Shelby County Open 4-H Horse Show would not have been possible after a heavy rain flooded the Western Riders facilities where the show was scheduled. Jim Anderson and the Shelby County Fair Board made the fairgrounds available, and two local farmers, Paul Walton and Frank Shepherdson, used their tractors to rescue a horse trailer which was surrounded by high water.
Dr. Renato Ramirez was hired at Inlow Clinic, the sixth doctor to join the staff.
1964: The Apothecary, 120 W. Jackson St., started using a Volkswagen Beetle for free city deliveries to customers.
1954: Local Girl Scouts received typhoid shots at Major Hospital.
The Moose Lodge moved from 120 E. Washington St. to a leased cement block building owned by the Wagner Truck and Implement Co. east of Shelbyville near the intersection of U.S. 421 and State Road 44.
Donald Nolley, Gerald Curry and Darrell Williams, of Shelby County, were inducted into military service through the draft.
A bust of Thomas A. Hendricks was placed in front of Thomas A. Hendricks School. The bust was originally in the old English Hotel on Monument Circle. When it was torn down several years’ prior, a contractor called Superintendent W.F. Loper to ask if he wanted the bust. Loper had the bust transported here and then commissioned Taylor-Tucker, stone fabricators in Fairland, to prepare it for mounting.
1944: One of Shelbyville’s biggest fires in years swept through the Vandergrift & Soller automotive establishment on West Hendricks St., destroying the building. Members of the local fire department were joined by Columbus firefighters in efforts to put it out, which included spraying large streams of water on the homes of Bert Kennedy and Clyde Campbell, on each side of the structure. Nearly 30 stored automobiles were burned in the fire. A burned telephone wire left 30 customers without service. The building was owned by James Vandegrift and Lawrence Soller.
1934: James Hall, who had starred in movies such as “Hell’s Angels” and “Four Sons,” appeared in a promotional event at Bradley Hall Furniture Store. He provided home furnishing ideas, color schemes and room arrangements.
The assets of Zeller Baking Company went into receivership and would be sold at auction, the Shelby Circuit Court announced.
1924: The Rushville and Batesville baseball game was canceled, The Shelbyville Republican announced, because the traction company had held a day sale featuring cheap rates, and most fans left town.
1914: A factory under construction on East South St. by Frank Rembusch, east of the Blanchard-Hamilton Furniture Co., would cost $12,000. Rembusch planned to use the factory to produce mirror screens.
A woman known locally as “Blondie” Geren was arrested on South Pike St. She had been convicted of “associating” in April and had promised to leave the city. She had evidently decided to return.
Jesse Roth opened an ice cream parlor and bakery at the intersection of Miller and Hendricks St. in the old Emrich building.
OBITUARIES
Barbara Ann Nigh, 87, of Shelbyville, passed away Friday, June 21, 2024, at Rosegate Village Nursing Home in Indianapolis. She was born November 21, 1936, in Shelbyville, the daughter of Homer Clark and Myrtle (Myer) Clark Kitzmiller. On January 18, 1957, she married Bradley Gene Nigh, and he preceded her in death on October 29, 2020. They were married for 63 years.
Barbara and Bradley have one daughter, Christine Nigh-Muldoon and husband, Dennis, of Edinburgh; grandsons, Bradley Wayne Muldoon and wife, Jennifer, and Jonathan Christopher Muldoon and fiance’, Jessica, all of Edinburgh; great-grandchildren, Andrew Wayne, Karlene Louise and Emma Rose and a great-grandson, Levi Christopher to join the family in October; two step-great-grandchildren, Easton and Lauren. Barbara has one sister, Jane Anderson and husband, Curt, of Shelbyville; sister-in-law, Dorothy Sexton and husband, Kenneth of Shelbyville; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to Bradley, Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; and her step-father who raised her, Herbert Kitzmiller.
Barbara graduated from Morristown High School in 1954. She was a member of Shelbyville Community Church. Barbara began her working career at General Electric in Shelbyville in 1955. She truly loved her job working in accounting and chatting with the employees. She retired from GE/Wellman Thermal Systems in 1999, after 44 years of service. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandma and great-grandma. Her joy in life was her family. She cherished the times spent with each and every one. Barbara was a soft spoken, kind hearted lady with a positive spirit. She would tell you that she has truly been blessed by God. Barbara had great neighbors that quickly became close friends.
Barbara and Bradley enjoyed countless vacations with fishing trips to Florida and Canada. So many wonderful memories were made with family and friends. She also enjoyed going shopping, watching Colts football, game shows and spending time with her friends.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, June 27, 2024, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Friday, June 28, 2024, at the funeral home. Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville. A special thank you to the care that was given to my mom by Cicoa Services and her caretaker, Elsie, as well as countless good deeds by the neighbors. Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s choice of charity or the American Heart PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692. Online condolences may be shared with Barbara’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.